Rudder for steering and controlling vessels



Feb. 23 1926.

H. O. WESTENDARP I RUDDBR FOR STEERING AND CONTROLLING VESSELS Filed Jan. 15. 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet l [rm/armor; Wen/y QWeatendarp by 919's .flttorney Feb! Q I H. O.-WESTENDARP RUDDER FOR STEERING AND CONTROLLING VESSELS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 O a /e/w-y Qij'leabenao by 4 99/6 fitter/ray.

Filed Jan. 15. 1924 Patented Feb. 23, 1926.

UNITED STATES HENRY O. WESTENDARP, OF SAUGUS, MASSACHUSETTS.

RUDDER FOR STEERING AND CONTROLLING VESSELS.

Application filed January 15, 1924. Serial No. 686,291.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it Known that I, HENRY O. \Vns'rnx- DAiIP, a citizen of the Un ted States, residing at Saugus, in the county of Essex and State 5 of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rudders for Steering and Controlling Vessels, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to improvements 10 in rudders of the type used for controlling and reversing the movements of vessels without reversing the motive agent. The rudder is divided and is pivoted together at one end and opens outwardly at the opposite end, thereby forming a receptacle to receive the water thrown oif by the propeller to obtain the reaction necessary to reverse or control the vessel. The water thus thrown back causes tremendous strain on this strain, I have devised a novel construction, which consists of two pressure balancing plates. These plates are pivotally connected to the rudder plates at one end, and the opposite respective ends are integral with the steering sleeve and to'the steering post, which forms a rudder normally used for steering by locking the rudder in the closed position, and for reversing or controlling the vessel by operating them in the opposite direction. The rudder plates and balancing plates can be operated by any suitable device or mechanism. By using the balancing plates, the operating strains are absolutely eliminated, due to the fact that the water thrown offby the propeller when acting against the balancing plates tends to close them, and in turn the water is thrust against the rudder plates, which exerts a counter-force against the rudder plates, thus balancing up the pressure on the apparatus, and thereby relieving the strains on the operating mechanism.

The pressure balancing plates also serve to bring the rudder plates in proper relation to the propeller to readily receive the water as it is thrown back for reactionary control purposes.

The object of the invention is to provide a rudder which can be used for controlling and reversing the vessel, and a pressure balancing means connected to it for relieving the strains on the operating mechanism.

For a consideration .of what I believe to be novel and my invention, attention is the operating mechanism, and to preventdirected to the accompanying description and claims appended hereto. V

Fig. l is, a side elevation of a vessel showing my improved rudder.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section of the rudder in an expanded position, showingthe propeller thrusting water into controlling and balancing mechanism to cause a reaction of the movement of the vessel.

-Fig. l is a plan view of the rudder.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal plan section of the rudder with the pressurebalancing plates in position.

' Fig. 6 is a horizontal plan view of the rudder partly opened showing the action of the pressurebalancing plates.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the rudder and propeller, showing the steering positions of the rudder in dotted lines in relation to the spill preventing plate.

Fig. 8 is a horizontal plan section of the rudder in an expanded position for steering the vessel with the reverse position in dotted lines.

Fig. 9 is a rear elevation of the steering sleeves and posts connected to the pressure balancing plates with the rudder blades in section.

Fig. 10 is a side elevation of the rudder with one of the blades'broken away, showing the reactionary balancing plates securet to the steering sleeve and post.

11 is a vertical section taken on the linev 1lll, Fig. 10 showing the pressure balancing plates hinged to the rudder blades.

Fig. 12 isan end elevation of the, rudder broken away, showing the projections for preventing the water from moving upwards during the controlling action.

Fig. 13 is a plan view of the rudder showing the pressure preventing strip on one end of the rudder and the pressure relieving apparatus on the opposite end.

Fig. 14 is an end elevation of the rudder showing the pressure relieving operation.

Referring to the drawings, 20 indicates my improved pressure balancing and control rudder, which is secured to the hull of a vessel 21, the. latter being of any suitable type. Mounted in the hull of the vessel 21 is an operating shaft 22 to which is secured the propeller 23. The shaft 22 may be driven by any suitable motive power agent, as an internal coinlnistionengine, or an elastic tluid engine, such as reciprocating or turbines. i

The rudder is supported and free to swing in the, bearings 2t and and comprises two blades 26 and vertically divided. The rudder blades maybe of any suitable shape, and are pivoted together on their outer ends 28 to allow them to swing apart during the reversing and controlling operations, as indicated in Fig. 3. Pivot-ally cured to the hinges 29' anti-3'0, formed integral with the inner surfaces of the rudder blades 26 and 27, are the reactionary pressure balancingv and rudder supporting plates 31 and 32; 'The plate 31 is rigidly secured to the operating sleeve 33, and the plate is rigidly secured to the operating post 35L, both of which are relatively free to swing in the bearings 2i and 25. The pressure balancing and control members forming a part of the ruddercomprise a number of hinged'parts, which, for ordinary steering purposes are flat against each other, and are Il'iOVQtlflS asingle unit by these respective sleeves and posts, both combined forming a steering post which can be operated in the usual manner. It is obvious when the rudder 20 is used for steering purposes,.that both the steering sleeve 33 and post 3e; move as a unit in the same direction in all steering operations. When the rudder 20 is used for controlling the vessel that is stopping, turning or reversing, the sleeve and postfi l are turned in the opposite direction, ausing the hinged parts of the rudder to turn outwardly to a greater or less extent .to form a receptacle to receive the water thrown back by the propeller against the rudder plates producing a tremendous strain on the inner surfaces of the rudder plates by forcing them outwardly as the water drives into the peak which causes it to churn before it works its way outwardly beyond the enclosure, thereby maintaining a constant strain on the rudder structure and steering gear and making it hard to control during its operation.

To prevent these strains on the steering apparatus, l have provided pressure balancing; plates 31 and 32v'liicl1 receive practically an equal amount of water pressure as the rudder plates 26 and 27, thereby making a balance and relieving the strain. I

Working in conjunction with the rudder plates and 27 and the balancing plates 31 and to give direction to the flow of water as shown in Fi 3 are the horizon tal ribs 3-5, Fig. 12, which prevent the water from flowing upwardly and spilling over the top excessively, and also serve to strengthen the rudder plates. 7

One of the objects of my invention is to give direction to the water thr'ovvn off by the impeller into the controlling receptacleand prevent excessive spilling at the top and bot-tom ofthe rudder plates. Other means have been provided to take care of the Water spill, such as the shrouds and 37 which have asiinilar function as the horizontal ribs 85, and causes the water to be directed bacl'c betweenthe rudder plates 26 and 27, and carried oil in the horizontal plane as desired. The shrouds were designed to form part of the hon o to enclose the inner member when the device. is used for a rudder, and a description of these will be taken up hereinafter. To provide for the spill, the rudder plates and 2? are placed directly under the hull of a vessel, as shownin Fig. l, which would prevent the water from flowing too freely in thenpward direction, and the skeg 38 is enlar ed to prevent the downward spill. 'l he 'Sl@,'S also serve as a support for the rudder post When the device used as a rudder, the plates and shrouds and 2t torming the housing, are closed, as shown in Figs. l, 5, 10, 12, 123 and l ft which C013):- pletely encloses the pressure balancing;

plates to prevent friction as it moves through the water.

To allow the plates to come together, semi-circular holes 39 and 40 are provided to receive the steering sleeve, and to make a neat and compact structure, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. il'hcn the rudder passes through the water, a pressure is exerted on the contact edges 41 and 42, which causes awater pressure to build up in the housing formed of the plates 26 and 27 and shrouds 3G and 37, which would tend to force the plates open. To prevent and relieve the pressure, I have provided a vertical lip l which covers the contact edges ll and i2, thereby preventing the pressure from builds ing up in the housing" around the balancing plates 31 and 32. To further relieve any pressure which might build up in the ruddcr, a h ole t is formed in the plate 26 and 27, which serves as a vent when a minus pressure exists, and when the rudder is trailing throughthe water relieves all. outward pressure inside the said rudder.

it has been mentioned heroinbe'l'orc that the steering; slccvei'l'l and the steeriiug post 33 can be rotated together or separately in the opposite direction. These members can be operated by chains or gears, and the construction shown provides worui gears 4-5 and 46, driven by the worms at? and 48; the worms are preferably rotated by motors.

When the forward movement oi the vessel takes place,the rudder closed, as shown in Figs. 1. (l, 9. 10, ll, 12. 13, and ll, and the steering sleeve 3'; and steering post 33 are locked together by any suitable means to allow the rudder to, operate for steeringpurposes. If it becomes necessary to Stop the vessel, the steering sleeve 32 and steering post are rotated in the opposite direction, which causes the rudder plates 26 and 27 to open outwardly, as shown in Fig. The water now thrown outwardly by the propeller, which remains in operation, enters to a great extent into the receptacle so formed as to retard the movement of the vessel. The retardation effect can be varied by changing the position of the blades 26 and 2?, which is due to the fact that a certain amount of water, instead of escaping freely from the propeller, is caught in the receptacle and forced to reverse its direction and flow in the forward direction. The reaction tends to move the vessel backward. To bring the vessel to a stop, the plates are brought to a position where the action and reaction are equal. The main embodiment of my invention lies in controlling the water thrown off by the propeller by forcing it against the pressure balancing plates which balances the strains on the apparatus and the steering gear. A varying regulation and balancing can be obtained by changing the width of the opening between the rudder plates 26 and 27, which will open up the balancing plates a corresponding amount, and at all times obtain a pressure balancing proportionate to the outward thrust of the water. To change the course of the boat or for steering it, the rudder plates and balancing plates are opened up the sameas when stopping and turning bodily as shown in Fig. 8, which is shown in full for one direction, but to change the course to the opposite direction the blades are moved bodily in the opposite direction. This means of control is one of great accuracy for the vessel will respond immediately to the reaction, and will turn on a pivot, if desired, which allows the vessel to be cont-rolled and operated in close quarters.

The balancing plates are so arrangedbetween the rudder blades 26 and 27 and the steering sleeve 32 and post 33, that the greatest degree of reaction is obtained; that is, when the steering sleeve and the steering post are moved or rotated in the opposite direction, the balancing plates swing outward 1y, which brings the controlling rudder plates close to the propeller sufliciently to obtain the greatest reaction with the least amount of spill. By this construction a perfectly balanced reversing, controlling, and steering is obtained.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I have described the principle of operation of my invention, together with the apparatus which I now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof, but I desire to have it understood that the appa ratus shown is only illustrative and that. the invention can be carried out by other means.

Wh t I new and. desire ts secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a vessel the combination of a hull, a shaft mounted in the hull, a propeller secured to the shaft, a rudder consisting of two blades pivoted together at one end, a steering sleeve, a steering post, and means integral with the steering sleeve and post and pivoted to the rudder plates to create a reaction-of the water thrown back by the propeller against the said rudder plates for reducing the strains on the operating mechanism.

2. In a vessel the combination of a hull, a shaft mounted in the hull, a propeller secured to the shaft, a rudder consisting of two blades, a steering post, a steering sleeve, pressure balancing plates integral with the steering post and sleeve and pivoted to the rudder plates to create a reaction of the water thrown back by the propeller against the rudder plates for reducing the strains of the operating mechanism. I

3. In a vessel the combination of a hull, a shaft mounted in the hull, a propeller secured to the shaft, a rudder consisting of two blades Which can be opened at one end, plates secured. and in such relation to the rudder platesfor supporting them and also reducing the pressure strain on the operating mechanism.

4. In a vessel the combination of a hull, a shaft mounted in the hull, a propeller securedto the shaft, a rudder consisting of two plates, a steering post, a steering sleeve, pressure balancing plates integralwith the steering post and sleeve and pivoted to the rudder plates, shrouds integral with the rudder plates which form a housing for the pressure balancing plates, and means for preventing the water pressure from building up between the rudder plates.

' 5. In a vessel, the combination of a hull,

a shaft mounted in the hull, a propeller secured to the shaft, a rudder consisting of two plates, a steering post, a steering sleeve, pressure balancing plates integral with the steering post and sleeve and pivoted to the rudder plates, shrouds integral with the rudder plates which form a housing for the pressure balancing plates, a strip covering the front edges of the rudder plates, and an aperture in the rear end of the rudder which allows a minus pressure between the rudder plates and both devices preventing. the water pressure from building up between the rudder plates.

6. In a vessel, the combination of a hull, a shaft mounted in the hull, a propeller secured to the shaft, a rudder consisting of two blades, a steering post, a steering sleeve, pressure balancing plates integral with the steering post and sleeve and pivoted to the rudder plates, which form a receptacle for the water thrown off by the propeller to cause a reaction. of the movement of the vessel, and means in relation to.

the rudder plates for directing the water in the horizontal planes. v

7. In a vessel, the combination of afhull, a shaft mounted in the hull, a propeller secured to the shaft, a rudder consisting of two blades, a steering post, a steering sleeve, pressure balancing plates integral with the steering post and sleeve and pivoted to the rudder plates, which form a receptacle for the water thrown oil by the propeller to cause a reaction of the movement of the vessel, and horizontal shrouds and ribs integral with the rudder plates for directing the water in the horizontal planes.

8. In a vessel, the combination of a hull, a shaft mounted in the hull, a propeller secured to the shaft, a rudder consisting of two blades, a steering post, a steering sleeve, pressure balancing plates integral with the steering post- 'and sleeve and pivoted to the rudder plates, which form a receptacle for the water thrown off by the propeller to cause a reaction of the movement of the vessel, and, means covering the top and bottom of the receptaclc'to prevent spill.

9.111 a vessel, the combination of a hull, a shaft mounted in the hull, a propeller secured to the shaft, a rudder consisting of two blades, a steering post, a steering sleeve, pressure balancing plates integral with the steeringpost and sleeve and pivoted to the rudder plates, which fornia receptacle for the water thrown off by the propeller to cause a reaction of the movement ol the vessel, a shrouded means covering the top to prevent spill, and a specially formed skeg to prevent spill at the bottom of the receptacle.

10. In a vessel, the combination of a hull, a shaft mounted in the hull, a propeller secured to the shaft, a rudder consisting of two blades, a'steering post, a steering sleeve,

pressure balancing plates integral with the steering post and sleeve and pivoted to the rudder plates, which form a receptacle for the water thrown off by the propeller to cause a reaction of the movement of the vessel, and means for turning the steering sleeve, post and balancing plates in common or in opposite directions to steer and control the boat.

11 In a vessel, the combination of a hull, a shaft .viounted in the hull, a propeller secured to the shaft, a rudder consisting of two blades, a steering post,a steering sleeve, pressure balancing plates integral with the steering post and sleeve and pivoted to the rudderplates, which form a receptacle for the. water thrown off by the propeller to cause a reaction of the movement of the vessel, worm gears on the steering sleeve and post, worms which receive their power from any suitable source for driving the gears for turning the steering sleeve, post and balancing plates in common or in the opposite directions to steer and control the vessel. HENRY O. l VESTENDARP. 

